<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Consolidated Statement of Operations and the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-29-1996 <CASH> 15000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 83300 <ALLOWANCES> 3600 <INVENTORY> 112700 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 217200 <PP&E> 247800 <DEPRECIATION> 143200 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 373800 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 137500 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 500 <OTHER-SE> 133600 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 373800 <SALES> 230400 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 230400 <CGS> 123500 <TOTAL-COSTS> 85100 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1700 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4400 <INCOME-PRETAX> 15700 <INCOME-TAX> 6100 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9600 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9600 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.80 <EPS-DILUTED> 0